Installed Ubuntu (dualboot with win8) now I cant start win8

[wakary]

I had 1 hard disk split like this:
-C
-(unallocated space)

I had Win8 installed on drive C and installed Ubuntu using the bootable usb method on a new partition
( I made a new ext4 partition for Ubuntu and put the bootloader thing on the windows 8 (loader))

Now when the "grub menu" appears I get the option to boot:
- ubuntu
- ubuntu repair
- memory diagostic
- ... ubuntu related stuff
- windows 8 (loader)

When I select Win8 it just goes to the grub menu again, no matter how many times I select Win 8 it still stays at the grub menu.

EDIT: I was in a hurry and there were no replies here so I reinstalled win8.
Now it boots win8 but ubuntu has disappeared completely.

How do I bring back ubuntu? (without losing windows)

[TheFlanman91]

I'm having this exact problem but with Win7! The Windows 7 (loader) is visible and selectable but any time I select it the screen goes blank as if about to load the OS and then GRUB appears again. Any support on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

[lukeiamyourfather]

Try updating GRUB with this command. That will usually fix any issues.


sudo grub-update

[TheFlanman91]

Have tried that a few times, even edited the file located at etc/default/grub to change the default selection on boot to the Windows 7 (loader). Nothing.

I'm curious to see is it a problem with GRUB or with my Windows 7 partition?

If there's any log files or anything that would help out please let me know.

[darkod]

Well, you said it yourself. You put the grub2 bootloader on the win8 partition. The bootloader usually goes to the MBR of the disk, like /dev/sda, /dev/sdb, etc. Without a number in it.

If grub2 is installed onto the windows partition, when you try to boot it it will open grub that is on the partition.

You should be able to use testdisk to remove grub2 from the windows partition:
http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/bootinfoscript/index.php?title=Boot_Problems:Boot_Sector

After that it should be fine.

[wakary]

I was in a hurry and there were no replies here so I reinstalled win8.
Now it boots win8 but ubuntu has disappeared completely.

How do I bring back ubuntu? (without losing windows)

[darkod]

I was in a hurry and there were no replies here so I reinstalled win8.
Now it boots win8 but ubuntu has disappeared completely.

How do I bring back ubuntu? (without losing windows)

You need to use the ubuntu cd in live mode and reinstall grub2 to the MBR. You have instructions here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1014708

Since win8 was reinstalled, you might need to boot ubuntu first and run in terminal:
sudo update-grub

[oldfred]

Is this part of the problem? Windows 8 does not play nice with other systems even other Windows.

WARNING for Windows 8 Dual-Booters
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1953674
It defaults shutdown to a hybrid hibernation/off state for fast boot
But then files may be corrupted similar to Windows 7 Hibernation:
http://superuser.com/questions/144720/missing-files-when-windows-7-returns-from-hibernate-w-dual-boot

[wakary]

You need to use the ubuntu cd in live mode and reinstall grub2 to the MBR. You have instructions here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1014708

Since win8 was reinstalled, you might need to boot ubuntu first and run in terminal:
sudo update-grub

Ok I used easyBCD (found on your link) and I can now boot on choice win8 or ubuntu.
(I get a menu:
-windows 8
-ubuntu
If I select windows 8 it boots normally. But when I select ubuntu it takes me to the grub menu and I must select from there, again, ubuntu [also the old windows 8 (loader) still appears on this grub menu])

I would like to get rid of this extra grub menu and if possible remove the windows 8 entry on it.

[darkod]

Ok I used easyBCD (found on your link) and I can now boot on choice win8 or ubuntu.
(I get a menu:
-windows 8
-ubuntu
If I select windows 8 it boots normally. But when I select ubuntu it takes me to the grub menu and I must select from there, again, ubuntu [also the old windows 8 (loader) still appears on this grub menu])

I would like to get rid of this extra grub menu and if possible remove the windows 8 entry on it.

Well, no one mentioned using easybcd. I mentioned reinstalling grub2 to the MBR.

But also note what oldfred posted about win8 not playing nice in dual boot.

As for what you want to do now, first undo all that you did with easybcd, so that you have only win8 again in the windows bootloader. Then use the instructions to reinstall grub2. Under the assumption your root partition is /dev/sda5, the commands to reinstall grub2 would be:

sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda

Note that you will need to check which is the root partition with fdisk as explained in that link.

That should provide the grub2 boot menu with ubuntu and win8.

[sudodus]

Edit: darkod's instruction in the previous post is important, and may solve the problem in your case. It is vital to get grub into the MBR (the beginning of the drive).

I made a test install with Windows 8 Developer's Preview some months ago. I started with an empty internal hard disk drive and installed Win8 in /dev/sda1 alias '(hd0,msdos1)'

Then I installed Lubuntu 12.04 in /dev/sda5 alias '(hd0,msdos5)'

I had no issues, it was 'business as usual', I had a grub menu with the various entries, one of them being Win8.

Later on I participated in beta testing of Lubuntu and installed several daily builds (with and without pae) several times in

/dev/sda4 alias '(hd0,msdos4)',
/dev/sda6 alias '(hd0,msdos6)' and
/dev/sda7 alias '(hd0,msdos7)'

The 'main' Lubuntu in /dev/sda5 was updated several times and I updated grub
sudo update-grub several times without getting problems to boot Win8.

This is my grub.cfg file

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
saved_entry="${chosen}"
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n "${have_grubenv}" ]; then if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
insmod video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=sv_SE
insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/blue
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
function gfxmode {
set gfxpayload="$1"
if [ "$1" = "keep" ]; then
set vt_handoff=vt.handoff=7
else
set vt_handoff=
fi
}
if [ ${recordfail} != 1 ]; then
if [ -e ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt ]; then
if hwmatch ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt 3; then
if [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
if [ "$linux_gfx_mode" != "text" ]; then load_video; fi
menuentry 'Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic-pae' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic-pae root=UUID=b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic-pae
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic-pae (återställningsläge)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49
echo 'Läser in Linux 3.2.0-23-generic-pae ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic-pae root=UUID=b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49 ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Läser in initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic-pae
}
submenu "Previous Linux versions" {
menuentry 'Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic (återställningsläge)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49
echo 'Läser in Linux 3.2.0-23-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49 ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Läser in initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
}
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b35da0b1-d551-48a3-98d7-1806f2152c49
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" --class windows --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 56CA491D4B15082A
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic (on /dev/sda4)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 3c6e794f-f29e-47f1-b5a3-d91a39084053
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=3c6e794f-f29e-47f1-b5a3-d91a39084053 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic (återställningsläge) (on /dev/sda4)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 3c6e794f-f29e-47f1-b5a3-d91a39084053
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=3c6e794f-f29e-47f1-b5a3-d91a39084053 ro recovery nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic-pae (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 546a8a6a-42e7-4cc4-9d5b-3506309f2b9e
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic-pae root=UUID=546a8a6a-42e7-4cc4-9d5b-3506309f2b9e ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic-pae (återställningsläge) (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 546a8a6a-42e7-4cc4-9d5b-3506309f2b9e
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic-pae root=UUID=546a8a6a-42e7-4cc4-9d5b-3506309f2b9e ro recovery nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 546a8a6a-42e7-4cc4-9d5b-3506309f2b9e
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=546a8a6a-42e7-4cc4-9d5b-3506309f2b9e ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic (återställningsläge) (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 546a8a6a-42e7-4cc4-9d5b-3506309f2b9e
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=546a8a6a-42e7-4cc4-9d5b-3506309f2b9e ro recovery nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic-pae (on /dev/sda7)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 114760d3-9c0e-4ac0-abe9-2b412459ffcf
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic-pae root=UUID=114760d3-9c0e-4ac0-abe9-2b412459ffcf ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic-pae (återställningsläge) (on /dev/sda7)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 114760d3-9c0e-4ac0-abe9-2b412459ffcf
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic-pae root=UUID=114760d3-9c0e-4ac0-abe9-2b412459ffcf ro recovery nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic (on /dev/sda7)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 114760d3-9c0e-4ac0-abe9-2b412459ffcf
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=114760d3-9c0e-4ac0-abe9-2b412459ffcf ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 3.2.0-23-generic (återställningsläge) (on /dev/sda7)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 114760d3-9c0e-4ac0-abe9-2b412459ffcf
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=114760d3-9c0e-4ac0-abe9-2b412459ffcf ro recovery nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

This section makes the Win8 entry in the grub menu:

menuentry "Windows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" --class windows --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 56CA491D4B15082A
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}

Use it as a template if you like, but remember to change the device and partition numbers and the uuid to fit your installation. Furthermore, when you know it works, you should copy it to /etc/grub.d/40_custom so that it survives automatic and manual updates of grub.

[wakary]

Well, no one mentioned using easybcd. I mentioned reinstalling grub2 to the MBR.

But also note what oldfred posted about win8 not playing nice in dual boot.

As for what you want to do now, first undo all that you did with easybcd, so that you have only win8 again in the windows bootloader. Then use the instructions to reinstall grub2. Under the assumption your root partition is /dev/sda5, the commands to reinstall grub2 would be:

sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda

Note that you will need to check which is the root partition with fdisk as explained in that link.

That should provide the grub2 boot menu with ubuntu and win8.

Thanks, it boots properly now.